Rezum water vapor therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as an enlarged prostate) is usually covered by both Original Medicare (parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C). However, a person must meet specific eligibility criteria in order for Medicare to cover the procedure.
For Medicare to cover the cost of Rezum, an individual must:
- be 50 years old or over
- continue to experience symptoms after trying other treatments, such as alpha-blockers or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
- have a prostate volume of 30 to 80 cubic centimeters
- not be a candidate for surgical treatments due to underlying conditions or high risk of bleeding
In addition, they must not have:
- prostate cancer
- a current urinary tract infection
- bacterial prostatitis (within the last 3 months)
- previous prostate surgery
- neurogenic bladder
- current urethral stricture
If the above criteria are met, Medicare will cover one session of Rezum.
Learn more about other treatment options for an enlarged prostate.
If someone meets the coverage requirements, the amount they’ll pay for Rezum depends on their Medicare plan and where they receive the treatment.
Rezum therapy administered in an ambulatory surgical center has an average out-of-pocket cost of $356, based on Medicare’s price lookup tool. These are facilities that focus on surgical procedures that don’t require a hospital stay.
When administered in a hospital outpatient department, the average out-of-pocket cost is $739, according to Medicare’s tool. These costs are based on 2024 Medicare costs and include both doctor and facility fees.
A person can speak with their clinician for more information about their eligibility for Rezum. Individual insurance companies and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can provide more details about out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.